Favorite Reads of 2026: Part 1
It’s that time of year where I share my top three books of 2026 so far! Let’s get to it!
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Gay Sports Romance: Rivals to Lovers, Forbidden Love, Forced Proximity
Kind of a no brainer that this has been sweeping the nation and beyond. Often times, I’m hard-pressed to find a novel (or show) that utterly destroys me WHILST gluing the pieces of my heart together with romantic goop. I need stories that get the assignment. Heated Rivalry is an A++. I think what made Shane and Ilya’s romance so profound was the stretch of time shared between them spent yearning quietly. Ugh! Devastating! On top of that, Rachel Reid does an excellent job building emotional and sexual tension along with the stakes. The clash of fierce ambition and raw vulnerability got me rooting for Hollanov every single page.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Contemporary Romance: Opposites Attract, Small Town/Big City, Family Expectations
This was the year I got into the Abby Jimenez universe. I’ve been hearing so many good things about her books, and having read several so far, I see why people gravitate toward them. Her books are deeply heartfelt, rooted in everyday obstacles we all face. And that’s the beauty of her world: they’re real. No over the top, hyper-specific niche. The characters feel like real people with real challenges. Abby’s ability to connect with her readers is refreshing, her stories reminding us to check in with our friends, look out for our families, and cherish the relationships that make us feel whole. The romance in Part of Your World developed in a natural way, and the long distance relationship shattered my heart. Abby knows how to wield her motifs and themes effectively, painting a vivid and tangible world we want to be a part of. ;)
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Romance Fantasy: Enemies to Lovers, Touch her and die
I confess, I was a little bit slow on the uptake with Fourth Wing. (Wasn’t sure if it was just a BookTok fad.) I’m glad however that the book did NOT disappoint. It has everything you’d expect from a classic romantasy: 1) A mysterious, broody hottie 2) Epic battle scenes 3) A solid magic system. It checks all the boxes, and yet, the book goes above and beyond. My favorite thing from the book has to be the romantic chemistry; it was hot, exciting, and most importantly earned. Nothing felt forced or inauthentic. I found that very attractive. And with world-building, it can be hard to keep track of other big picture items such as pacing, character arcs, and themes. Not for Rebecca Yarros. Everything was tight, tight, tight! (. . . maybe not as tight as the Rider uniforms 👀🫵)
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I love discussing romance! If you have a question or want to learn more about developmental editing for your romance novel, don’t hesitate to send me an email! 🩷
